Sister Bliss is one half of one the most recognisable dance outfits in the world. As Faithless roll into Cardiff she reveals how life on the road has had to change for the iconic group

WHEN you’re part of a gigantic touring team, it’s the little things that matter the most. Literally.

For Sister Bliss a member of dance outfit Faithless for the last 15 years, the addition of her four-year-old son on selected dates on their current world tour has presented the keyboard wizz and DJ with a different set of posers than just what songs will form the set list and whether the sound is spot on.

“I’ve been Googling things to do with kids in each city,” she laughs.

“Life takes on a different meaning when you have an infant in tow.”

That said, a chance encounter with a famous bearded resident of Lapland didn’t quite go to plan.

“We met a German Santa Claus earlier,” she says, recalling her encounter with the foreign Father Christmas.

“Unfortunately he was chattering away animatedly in German and we didn’t have a clue what he was saying. “My little boy was a little shocked by it,” she chuckles. “But he didn’t look as disappointed as Santa Claus when he realised we didn’t know what he was going on about!”

When I speak with Bliss, it’s mid-afternoon and she’s newly arrived backstage, pre-soundcheck, at the Philips Halle Dusseldorf. She’s seeking quiet sanctuary in the girls’ dressing room away from the noisy chatter of a road crew, as Faithless gear up to bring their 24 carat gold, hands aloft anthems to bear on a German audience who know their dance music as well as any other country on earth.

Bliss, who celebrates her 40th birthday next month, and Faithless’ inspirational frontman, the evergreen but nevertheless super fit 53-year-old that is Maxi Jazz, might be less able to hammer it off stage as judiciously as they did back in their ’90s heyday, but there’s absolute no wavering when it comes to their live show.

“Yeah, we still go for it as much as we’ve ever done, it’s still full on and pumping,” she reassures me.

“Although I still don’t know how Maxi does it. He’s incredible. Physically he’s still amazing.

“We’re all at an age now where we have to take our health and fitness seriously. You can’t tour the world and play the sorts of shows we play without having a good fitness regime.”

Faithless recently released their sixth full album The Dance and Bliss reveals the set on their European tour consists of a mix of their greatest hits.

“The set is a little longer this time, coming in around the two hour mark,” says Bliss, revealing what fans in Wales can expect at their Cardiff show this week.

“That’s the problem when you have so many songs to choose from. We can be a bit more expansive with the back catalogue, so we’ve tweaked and rejigged a few of the older songs to give them a contemporary feel.”

Their present tour has taken them across the globe. A recent jaunt to South America saw them chalk up the air miles as they zig-zagged across the continent taking in shows in Mexico, Chile and Argentina among others.

Bliss reckons this far flung touring schedule is indicative of both the upsides and downsides of being in a hugely successful outfit like Faithless.

“The shows are always the upsides. We’ve got an incredibly loyal fan base and it’s an absolute pleasure to play for them. To have people wanting you to come all that way to their country where English isn’t their first language and put on a show is a humbling experience.

“The downsides are of course being away from home and the amount of travelling you have to fit in when you don’t really have an opportunity to discover the country you’re in because of your gruelling schedule.

“But of course the pros far, far, far outweigh the cons. We realise how lucky and blessed we are to be able to do this.”

It may be a decade and a half on but you sense that Sister Bliss is still as enthusiastic and determined to carry her crowd away on a tidal wave of dance floor anthems as she’s ever been.

“Yeah I’ve still got the hunger and desire,” she enthuses.

“I can’t speak for Maxi, but to be able to carry on being creative and entertain is what I love doing.

“I think with Faithless it’s not like going to see any other band. In Maxi we’ve got an iconic frontman who our fans feel speaks to them personally.

“When you have fans coming up to you and saying Faithless make me feel better you come away with such a buzz. Why wouldn’t you want that feeling to continue?”

Faithless play Cardiff International Arena on Wednesday, December 1. Tickets priced £29.50 from the box office on 029 2022 4488